Some Michigan Airports Are Growing Their Own Fuel

Airports need lots of room for planes to leave and land. And airplanes spew a lot of greenhouse gases. Idea: Grow crops on airport property to power the planes, and maybe help offset carbon emissions. It's an idea that may be taking off in Michigan. Yep, taking off. According to Biodiesel Magazine, Detroit Metro and Willow Run airports each use more than 1 million gallons of fuel per day. Airport owner Wayne County is working with Michigan State University (Go Green) on a project to grow airport fuel on the premises with bioenergy crops.

The two airports have 1,700 acres suitable for planting, according to the magazine, and canola and mustard seed will be used. The project, funded with a $476,000 state grant, will run through February 2012.

The AgriEnergy Technology Demonstration project will be done on only 3 acres at Detroit Metro, and is expected to yield 300 gallons of fuel this summer, The News-Herald reports. Remember, 1 million-plus gallons are needed per airport.

The Detroit project is part of an Aerotropolis (snicker) concept at Metro, to attract business to areas around airports. A long-term vision for Metro is to build a processing plant on or near the airport, piping home-made jet fuel to planes.